EFFECTS OF THE GULF STREAM ON WIND WAVES IN SWADE

Hendrick L. Tolman

Abstract

Preliminary results of a numerical study of wave-current interactions in SWADE for 20 Oct. 1990 to 31 Oct. 1990 are presented. The results are obtained with the wave model WAVEWATCH, which incorporates both wave-current interactions and a full description of the dynamics wave growth and decay. It is shown that wave-current interactions are expected to be sufficiently strong to be observed in mean wave parameters, but that significant effects of interactions occur close to the Gulf Stream only. Furthermore, wave growth and decay are strongly influenced by the currents. Thus, modelling of wave-current interactions on the scales considered requires a comprehensive assessment of both (conservative) wave-current interactions and of the dynamics of wave growth and decay.